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HomeHSNChapter 72HSN 7211 19 50

Strip

Hot-rolled flat steel strip, width less than 600 mm

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · SIMS OVERLAY

HSN 7211 19 50 (hot-rolled flat steel strip of width less than 600 mm, not clad, plated or coated) is covered by the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order 2024 issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) vide S.O. 3716(E). Every consignment must conform to the corresponding Indian Standard listed in Schedule 1 of that order and bear the ISI mark under a BIS CM/L licence. Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) registration administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is
HSN code
7211 19 50
Chapter
72 · Iron and steel
BIS QCO
Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required
Indian Standard
IS per Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024 · effective 29-08-2024
Applicable Partner Government Agencies
BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards
SIMSSIMS·Steel Import Monitoring System

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps
  1. 1
    Source only from a BIS CM/L-licensed manufacturer whose licence scope explicitly covers hot-rolled flat steel strip under Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products QCO 2024. Verify the CM/L number, licensed product range, and manufacturing facility address on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
    Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
  2. 2
    Ensure every coil or length of strip bears the ISI standard mark and that each consignment is accompanied by a test certificate bearing the standard mark, issued by the BIS-certified manufacturer. The mark and certificate must be traceable to the licensed facility and the applicable Indian Standard under Schedule 1.
    Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 · S.O. 3716(E) dated 29-08-2024 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016
  3. 3
    Register the consignment on the Steel Import Monitoring System portal not earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date. The ₹500 registration fee yields an automatic registration number valid for 75 days; the number must remain within validity on the date of arrival.
    DGFT Notification 33/2015-20 dated 28-09-2020 · DGFT Notification 28/2023 dated 28-08-2023 · Policy Condition 5 of Chapter 72
  4. 4
    If the consignment is imported without BIS licence or certification, apply on the TCQCO portal for each such consignment and obtain clarification before customs clearance, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Confirm compliance with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification at F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023.
    Ministry of Steel Circular F.No. S-20011/14/2021-Tech dated 20-10-2023 · CBIC clarification F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III dated 09-11-2023
  5. 5
    For imports of seconds or defective material, observe the port restrictions, value restrictions, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate requirements under Policy Conditions 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 72. Sub-standard or defective product that fails conformity must be disposed of as scrap in a manner that does not violate Section 17(1)(b) of the BIS Act, 2016.
    Policy Conditions 1, 2 and 3 of Chapter 72 · Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016 · Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024
A word of counsel

The most common error on HSN 7211 19 50 is assuming that a supplier's general BIS CM/L licence for flat-rolled steel products covers this specific strip dimension and grade — it does not. The CM/L licence is product-scope-specific: if the licensed schedule does not enumerate the precise width range, thickness, and grade of the hot-rolled strip being imported, that consignment is treated as unlicensed at port, triggering detention and mandatory TCQCO portal referral under the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023. Confirm the exact schedule coverage with the supplier and cross-verify against the BIS register before shipment.

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Frequently asked
Does HSN 7211 19 50 require BIS certification?
Yes. Hot-rolled flat steel strip under this tariff item must conform to the corresponding Indian Standard in Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024 (S.O. 3716(E)), and bear the ISI mark under a BIS CM/L licence with effect from 29 August 2024.
Is SIMS registration required separately from BIS QCO compliance?
Yes. Steel Import Monitoring System registration is administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and is independent of the BIS QCO obligation. The ₹500 fee produces a registration number valid for 75 days; apply no earlier than 60 days before the expected arrival date.
What happens if the consignment arrives without a BIS CM/L licence or does not bear the ISI mark?
The importer must apply on the TCQCO portal for every such consignment before clearance, as mandated by the Ministry of Steel circular dated 20-10-2023, read with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarification at F.No. 401/88/2023-Cus.III. Sub-standard product that cannot be brought into conformity must be disposed of as scrap.
Does the SIMS carve-out for re-import or SEZ movements also waive the BIS QCO obligation?
No. The SIMS exemptions under DGFT Policy Circular 38/2015-20 dated 19-01-2022 cover only the SIMS registration requirement; the BIS QCO obligation under S.O. 3716(E) remains unaffected and applies to every consignment falling within Schedule 1 of the Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order, 2024.
Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: BIS / SIMS / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.
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